r-barton,
The rationale for the F-82 was the long over-water combat missions in the Pacific. The B-29 escorts needed twin engines for safety and two pilots for the 10-hour missions. That single-pilot P-51’s made these missions from Iwo Jima is actually pretty impressive. Those young pilots were real men.
A prolonged bombing campaign was envisioned. Two nukes in August 1945 changed all that planning overnight.
Oldplayer
he rationale for the F-82 was the long over-water combat missions in the Pacific. ............................ One could nap while the other flew, so there wouldn’t be any pilot fatigue on the long range missions. Try driving a car for 10 hours straight without stopping and see how it affect you.